Post by janet on Aug 30, 2007 10:34:10 GMT -5
Nothing has been said on this Board for some time concerning the conditions on Death Row in Parchman, Mississippi.
Since June 6th, 2007, there have been numerous lockdowns and shakedowns due to escapes, myriad instances of violence, a guard being formally charged with smuggling a revolver with two clips of ammunition to an inmate, two suicides, and the murders of three inmates, the latest being on Tuesday evening.
I would like to make very clear that none of the above was initiated by a death row inmate. The latest deceased was, however, on death row and was stabbed thirty times.
During the 'shakedowns', personal property has been confiscated, property that is not contraband. In fact, in two instances, inmates Bibles were destroyed in front of them. Men have slept without mattresses on concrete floors, 'meals' have been comprised of jelly sandwiches: all during the most intense heat wave the delta has experienced in many years. Additionally, on one occasion, inmates were emotionally and mentally tortured when family photographs, mementos of happer times, etc. were destroyed by guards taunting them to prevent it.
Attorney/client visits are suspended during lockdown which is in clear violation of The Constitution of the United States. It is frightening that a filing deadline may be missed due to the prevention by MDOC officials of access to legal counsel.
Part of the problem is that death row prisoners are housed in Unit 32C, which is also a disciplinary unit for State prisoners. The overcrowded conditions, pervasive filth, insect infestation, and isolation, as well as gang activity, have contributed to the problem.
The solution, by edict of Commissioner Chris Epps, is to install solid steel doors with merely a slot for food, cover vents to prevent knives from being created, the installation of fifty more security cameras, X-Ray machines, and further 'precautions.'
The details may be found in the press releases on the Mississippi Department of Corrections website.
MDOC clearly is not in compliance with the successful lawsuit brought by inmates and represented by attorneys from the ACLU and, thus, there is constant vigilance. 32C is under intense scrutiny by the ACLU. Action by death row prisoners, i.e., hunger strikes, lawsuits, are unlikely at this point, since the mood is one of complete and utter hopelessness and resignation. Many suffer severe psychosis and are housed among other prisoners. The screaming is relentless by those who suffer mental illness. The result is sleep deprivation.
I urge those of conscience to contact the National Prison Project in Washington, D.C. to express their outrage that human beings are being abused and subjected to what are likely the worst contitions in the United States.
Family members and friend are fearful of saying anything to officials, fearing retaliation against loved ones. The situation is horrific and demands immediate attention.
Since June 6th, 2007, there have been numerous lockdowns and shakedowns due to escapes, myriad instances of violence, a guard being formally charged with smuggling a revolver with two clips of ammunition to an inmate, two suicides, and the murders of three inmates, the latest being on Tuesday evening.
I would like to make very clear that none of the above was initiated by a death row inmate. The latest deceased was, however, on death row and was stabbed thirty times.
During the 'shakedowns', personal property has been confiscated, property that is not contraband. In fact, in two instances, inmates Bibles were destroyed in front of them. Men have slept without mattresses on concrete floors, 'meals' have been comprised of jelly sandwiches: all during the most intense heat wave the delta has experienced in many years. Additionally, on one occasion, inmates were emotionally and mentally tortured when family photographs, mementos of happer times, etc. were destroyed by guards taunting them to prevent it.
Attorney/client visits are suspended during lockdown which is in clear violation of The Constitution of the United States. It is frightening that a filing deadline may be missed due to the prevention by MDOC officials of access to legal counsel.
Part of the problem is that death row prisoners are housed in Unit 32C, which is also a disciplinary unit for State prisoners. The overcrowded conditions, pervasive filth, insect infestation, and isolation, as well as gang activity, have contributed to the problem.
The solution, by edict of Commissioner Chris Epps, is to install solid steel doors with merely a slot for food, cover vents to prevent knives from being created, the installation of fifty more security cameras, X-Ray machines, and further 'precautions.'
The details may be found in the press releases on the Mississippi Department of Corrections website.
MDOC clearly is not in compliance with the successful lawsuit brought by inmates and represented by attorneys from the ACLU and, thus, there is constant vigilance. 32C is under intense scrutiny by the ACLU. Action by death row prisoners, i.e., hunger strikes, lawsuits, are unlikely at this point, since the mood is one of complete and utter hopelessness and resignation. Many suffer severe psychosis and are housed among other prisoners. The screaming is relentless by those who suffer mental illness. The result is sleep deprivation.
I urge those of conscience to contact the National Prison Project in Washington, D.C. to express their outrage that human beings are being abused and subjected to what are likely the worst contitions in the United States.
Family members and friend are fearful of saying anything to officials, fearing retaliation against loved ones. The situation is horrific and demands immediate attention.